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Volvo's Mean Green semi breaks records in Utah

May 1, 2012

Volvo Mean Green Photo by Volvo

The Volvo hybrid truck, a.k.a. Mean Green, achieved two world speed records at Wendover Airfield in Utah, one for the standing kilometer and one for the flying kilometer. It didn't hit its planned top velocity of 165 mph, but 147 mph is still a respectable speed for a truck originally meant for hauling trailers down a highway.

During the flying kilometer (0.62 mile), drivers get a small distance to gain speed before beginning the run. The standing kilometer is done from a stop. The Mean Green truck topped 95 mph in the standing kilometer.

The semi has a modified aerodynamic body but is composed mostly of Volvo production components. Mean Green gets power from a tuned Volvo D16 engine and a modified version of the company's I-Shift gearbox. It has an electric motor providing 200 of the truck's 2,100 hp and 885 of the truck's 5,000 lb-ft of torque.

“We are very pleased with Mean Green's performance, especially at such a high altitude,” said Boije Ovebrink, Mean Green's driver and owner. “We knew Wendover would present challenges because it's more than 4,200 feet above sea level.”

The speed records were verified by the United States Auto Club, which is a branch of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. The new records should be recognized by the group in 30 to 60 days.

The truck's previous records were 135.9 mph in the flying kilometer and 94.6 mph in the standing kilometer. The runs were completed in June 2011 at the Hultsfred Airport in Sweden.